In a significant development within the real estate landscape of Washington, DC, it has been revealed that tech mogul Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, has acquired a $23 million residence in the capital. This transaction, which positions Zuckerberg near key political figures, comes as various tech executives seek closer ties to President Donald Trump’s administration during his second term.

The property, located approximately 15 minutes from the White House, is situated in an upscale neighbourhood that includes the official residence of Vice President JD Vance at the Naval Observatory. The sale, finalized in March, was conducted through a Limited Liability Company (LLC) registered in Delaware, raising curiosities among locals regarding the identity of the buyer, until Meta confirmed it was Zuckerberg.

“Mark and Priscilla have purchased a home in D.C., which will allow Mark to spend more time there as Meta continues the work on policy issues related to American technology leadership,” a spokesperson from Meta stated in comments reported by Politico.

The purchase marks the third-most expensive residential transaction in Washington’s history. The property was previously bought in 2013 for $5.15 million, before being demolished to make way for a newly constructed 15,400-square-foot mansion designed by the prominent local architect Robert M. Gurney. Extensive outdoor amenities include a basketball court and a pool complex, alongside newly erected walls and fencing to enhance security.

Zuckerberg’s acquisition comes at a time when the tech industry is in a state of heightened focus on governmental affairs, with Zuckerberg recently spotted at the White House on the same day reports circulated regarding the business mogul Elon Musk’s planned departure from government by the end of May. This led to speculation regarding Zuckerberg’s potential role within Trump’s inner circle, possibly positioning him as a key technology advisor.

However, Zuckerberg is currently contending with pressing legal issues, as Meta is scheduled to face an antitrust trial in April led by the Federal Trade Commission. The case could have significant implications for Meta’s control over its various platforms, including WhatsApp and Instagram. There is concern within the tech industry that Trump’s administration might leverage the situation as an opportunity to make a strong statement against the company.

The interest in Washington real estate among tech leaders has surged, with numerous prominent figures following a similar path to Zuckerberg. In January, David Sacks, known for his role in the cryptocurrency sector, purchased a residence for $10.3 million. This follows moves by other tech executives such as Jeff Bezos, who acquired a property for $23 million in 2016, and Peter Thiel, who bought his home for $13 million in 2021. Additionally, former Google executive Eric Schmidt purchased a notable mansion in 2024 for $15 million.

Contrastingly, Musk has opted against acquiring property in the city, reportedly preferring to conduct business from his office in the Executive Office Building while travelling frequently with the President to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.

Source: Noah Wire Services